Jackson Elk Herd

A bull elk sports a beautiful set of antlers in early March. The elk and the antlers may soon part ways. The largest bulls begin dropping their antlers in early to mid-March. Spring migrations to calving and summer range begin when the snow recedes and new vegetation appears, usually in April and May. Elk are the primary wildlife species occupying the National Elk Refuge, and their conservation is the reason the refuge was established. The refuge provides winter habitat for the Jackson Elk Herd.